Jocko's Steak House

The food here in Jocko's Steak House is very delicious and the ambiance is great I would suggest this restaurant to anyone. more

I've known of (Jocko's) since I went to Cal Poly (SLO) as an undergrad which was back in 1995. It was really from a college roommate, actually. He swore on his mother's grave that it was the best steak in the area. Well, after a 20 minute drive and a 2 hour wait, I was ready to write-off Jocko's. Until I had their steaks. I've been a convert ever since. We moved to Texas in 2005 and while I was there, there were some decent steak places, but every time I was in the (CA) Central Coast area on business, I'd still make the trip. Yes the drive was there; yes the 2 hour wait still exists whether one makes a reservation or not, but it's worth it. We recently moved back to California and every now and then, we'd make the pilgrimmage from Visalia back to Jocko's. As some have suggested, order a steak to eat there and then order another one, thick cut to take home. more

I have been eating at Jocko's since the 1950's. Had my wedding reception at the current location in 1966. Eat there as often as I can and love the food. The large spencer is always great. Best pop for your money. My wife likes the steak sandwich from the pit [also a spencer] and is always satisfied. Pros: GREAT FOOD - FAIR PRICE Cons: NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION more

Upon first walking into this place, it is a bit...off-putting. The brands on the walls and the general cowboy atmosphere tends to be a bit over the top, however the wonderful smells overpower these minor drawbacks. The seating is on wooden benches and is quite rustic, and the menus seem to be the type you'd expect to find at ""Big Earl's Truck Stop"" or some such establishment, but again, the wonderful smell from the open cooking area demands that you overlook these trivialities. The item on the menu which so drew my attention was the Spencer steak, as this is a cut I had been previously unaware of (it is essentially a ribeye). I ordered the smaller portion size, which, as it turned out, was quite filling. Allow me to guide you on this however; Get the larger portion. Take it home. This steak is possibly the best I've had at a restaurant, although the cooking method does make it difficult to compare to say, Ruth's Chris. The steak appears to be like a roast, almost, about as thick as it is wide, and swimming in its own juices. From the first bite to the last, this is a must for steak lovers. Having been there several times in the last few years, I have yet to be disappointed. The setting could be better, the sides are forgettable, but the amazing steak more than makes up for it. Do yourself a favor and check it out. Pros: Excellent steak Cons: ""Rustic"" setting more

I live in San Luis Obispo and many of my friends recommended Jocko's for an awesome steak. I work during the evening so the only time I had to try Jocko's was during lunch. That was a big mistake. I ordered the steak sandwich, the first thing you would see on the menu. Well, its awful. It seemed to be pan-fried with no taste whatsoever. Absolutely bland. Even though the service was friendly, that's all I could think about on the drive back to slo. All the hype for nothing. And for 16 bucks, I don't expect much, but I could have just went to Firestone's in slo and had a much tastier tri-tip sandwich for half the price. Even more unfortunate, I work at a local hotel in Pismo and I can't even fake recommending Jocko's to guests anymore. Regardless of how tasty their dinner might be, a good restaurant should serve good food from the time they open til the time they close. Pros: Friendly Service Cons: Awful Lunch more

Wow. What can I say but WOW!! This place was fantastic. I happened to be here over the Holidays visiting my good friend Rob Spewack and his lovely wife Carry. In a moment of rare genius Rob got a baby sitter and we were out for a night of adult fun and conversation. Upon arriving we were ushured to the bar where the drinks flowed aplenty!! It was a tad bit busy, and after about an hour we were called for our table. I must say we were pretty intoxicated by then and ready to eat. This place sits you next to others (circa middle school) which was a bit off-putting- I am used to quiet and first class amenities- truth be told. But we ended up sitting next to the funniest couple who reminded us of Buzz and Marcia- two of our dearest friends!! The wine kept flowing and the laughter was raucous! But in this place no one cared or noticed- Wonderful!! So finally the steak arrives and I must say this without equivication-- best I have ever had!! hands down!! The night was even better because our new found friends and me and my wife went back to the hotel and had glorious 4 way intercourse!! Cant't wait to tell all my friends!! more

My husband and I were referred to Jocko's back in 2000 by a local. You have to trust the locals! We go up to Pismo about every other month to play on the dunes and we ""plan"" an EARLY dinner on Saturday every time. When I say early, I mean 4:30pm. There is usually not a wait. This also gives you time to digest your food before going out on the dunes again. I like the relish plate before dinner is served but it's really the Salsa that finishes off the 22 oz. filet mignon. The salsa is not served with chips but rather crackers... the only way to go! We even have friends from Riverside come up just for dinner it's that good! Make sure you stop the next time you are passing through! Pros: THE FOOD! Cons: THE DISTANCE... but worth it! more

Found this place back in the 80's when I came to Nipomo to play golf at Black Lake. I have made every effort to stop there anytime I have been close every since. Pros: Great food Cons: Too far from anywhere more

The greatest Steak I've ever had, I'm looking forward to going back after christmas. Pros: Best steaks ever Cons: sides are just okay more

Jocko's is GREAT!! I was on the West coast to ink an important radio deal with my good friend Grant Napier, and BOY oh BOY did we have a great steak. We got there with no reservations--and the wait was long. But who cares? We hung out at the bar and had multiple drinks and the time just flew. The bar was so fun we almost just stayed there!! But about an hour later they called us and I grabbed my 6th Jamesons and we were off to our table. We sat next to a wonderful couple who reminded me of Dennis Murphy and his lovely (albeit annoying) wife Gladys. The meal was cooked to perfection and the waitress never let my glass get half empty. I LOVED this place. One probllem was in fact the restroom. It looked like it was built for midgets. I am 5'10"" about 350 and damn near broke the commode! I felt bad backing up the toilet and letting the water run everywhere after such a great meal, but I was too drunk by that time to care. I promise to tell my buddy Don about it!! Highly recommended. Pros: Great Jamesons and steaks Cons: Bathroom a bit small more

Jockos is very very good!!! I love there breakfast, great breakfast at great prices, can't beat that!!! You get a lot of food for the price you pay!! No Skimping with them!! The lunch there is very good and very filling!! The dinner is also very good! The Spencer is the best its like a filet mignon but reasonable cheaper, plus it will last you another night if you eat wisely!! They have side dishes and reasonably priced. There meat is aged and they are far better than Ruth's Chris Steakhouse!! They use a real bbq pit when cooking there meat, not on an open flame in the kitchen!! Sometimes when your having lunch, they start up that bbq pit! Pros: Food is awesome, service is great Cons: Make reservations if you can or get there early more

we have beeen going here over 34 years and it still is our favorite place...........rick robison....yuma,az. Pros: great steaks, nice people Cons: loud,not romantic,but when you are with someone 35 years, you already have romance more

I have never on earth seen huge pieces of steak in my life! all the 4 star restaurants does not even compare to Jockos, I do agree, the wait is not the best part, but when we make reservations and there are 6-8 of us at the bar, drinking and being LOUD , the time goes by fast!!!! So, heres a tip for you, just drink and make sure you are with alot of people and the time does go by fast, being sober and with only a few people with you can seem like an enternity!!. The one downside about this place is that im sure they make sooo much money buy they cant remodel the place or even fix up the rest rooms, ima big girl and the stalls or tiny!! Jockos is a hole in the wall but the food is to die for! I recommend the Filets!!! Its a 3 hour drive from where im at, but its worth it! Pros: STEAKS, DRINKS!!!!!!! Cons: A FIXER UPPER more

Anyone that would dare give Joco's a bad review does not know good BBQ if it smacked them in the face. Go back to the valley or what ever sh*thole part of CA you cheep b*tches cant afford to live in the central coast. I give them a 5/5 best steak hands down. Pros: Best steak! great sides! perfect combo of flavor Cons: long wait time more

Well if you like Cafeteria food u should go here. Cheap meat cooked over oak. They bring you Crackers and salsa to start i guess the salsa is for the steak. Where i come from we like our meat to be as close to prime as possible I'd bet they are using select for some and maby choice for other cuts. but what do i know except i want to take my friends and family some where it dont feel like highschool. Pros: Big portion Cons: not top quality if ya know what i mean your beef has a first name and its called no roll more

I honestly cannot say that Jocko's ""has the best steak I've ever had in my life!"" Sorry, but that just isn't true. Ruth's Chris yes, Jocko's no. And they don't ""get it right every time"". I went as one of a party of 4. Here's what we ordered pork chops, filet mignon, ""extra"" 26 oz New York, and I had the ""normal sized"" New York. All steaks were ordered medium rare, but mine was medium well - way overcooked for my taste. I didn't send it back because we didn't want to wait another half hour for another one. Everything else at the table required extra cooking time according to the menu - they post a nice warning about this being the case for extra sized items and pork chops. A thick filet will always take longer than an equal sized NY steak. Anyway, it could be that they started all of our food at the same time and mine got over cooked as a result. I was saved by table mates who shared their food with me. The filet was the best, being very tender and cooked to perfection. The flavor was truly excellent. As was the extra sized NY, also cooked perfectly. The pork chops were amazing. I've never had better, fully cooked yet juicy and what a great BBQ flavor. The baked potatoes were also excellent. Salads and other sides below average. Of course, people don't come here for salads and sides, they come here for massive quantities of well prepared meat. My steak was ""well"" all right. Definitely not the best ever, but up there in the top 30%. Pros: Good steak, easy parking. Cons: Lousy sides and salads. more

Feb.2008 season when the area was in its down time, so being a resort type area ,NOT. So there is just no excuse for having to wait for this restaurant. IF YOU ARE A LOCAL AND THIER FRIEND YOU WILL BE SEATED ALMOST AS SOON AS YOU COME THRU THIER DOOR. I WATCHED IT HAPPEN. ONE LADY BROUGHT THE HOSTESS A GIFT AND THEY HUGGED , THIS AFTER OUR 4O MINUTE WAIT. I travel all over the U.S. AND I WOULD NOT SEND A FRIEND TO THIS PLACE. We had reservations, and we did arrive early, but no matter. As we set in the waiting area (which was so small....people had no place to go or set . the bar was full of others waiting) Pros: IF YOU LIKE WAITING Cons: EVERYTHING more

I have been to Jocko's at least 5 times now. I live in Southern California, but heard about this place thru locals in Pismo. I have never seen bigger portions of meat served ANYWHERE! The pork chops are to die for, the lamb chops, I swear, the lambs must be on steroids, as these are the biggest lamb chops I have ever seen!! My first encounter with Jocko's, I had the sirloin sandwich...it was enough to feed 3 people! Yes, the place is a little old fashioned, the tables are close together, but if you can look past that, the food is what this place is all about! I have not been disappointed with anything I have ordered there....I even went for breakfast one morning, and let me tell you, the breakfast portions are just about as big as the dinner portions! The Ham Steak was enough to feed 4 people! I love this place and I look forward to my next visit this week!! This place is the best kept secret in this area!!! Pros: Biggest pieces of meat I have ever seen for the price!! Cons: Sometimes a wait.....it's a diner material ambiance...tables are close together more

I agree with most of the other reviews with a few exceptions. The steaks are exceptional, and huge. We tried the sirloin and the filet and both were fantastic!! Someone else wrote that the ribs were great, so we tried the ribs and were instantly sorry. The ribs were dry, dry, dry - almost jerky. We each tried one rib, and all the rest were left behind - we didn't even take them home. I really can't suggest you stray off the list of steaks. (interesting that the waitress never asked what was wrong with the pile of untouched ribs ?) Pros: wonderful steaks, great steaks, exceptional steaks Cons: low ambience, closely crowded tables, noisy, food is average except for the steaks more

I even went to french culinary school and the steak cooked over the oak fire was the best I ever had. The sides could use some work, but I would drive 2 hours to eat here. You spend 20-30 buck for a pound to a pound and a half of meat and everything is included. salad, bread, beans, vegetable, ice cream and coffee. sure beats peter lugars. Dont bring a date there though cause it looks like the basement of as church. Pros: meat, everything included Cons: sides more